Scott Lane

Road to Calvary

Re:Verse reading–Luke 2:1-20 (day five)

“And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” Luke 2:7

The God who created the world, who orchestrated a census (for Jesus to be born in Bethlehem), could have certainly provided a room in an inn. In His sovereignty, God rules over hotel occupancies. Then, why not a room? That was not His will. From start to finish, the birth, life, and death of Jesus would be identified with hardship, poverty, and suffering. Listen to Jesus’ words: John 15:20 “A slave is not greater than his master. If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you;”. Luke 9:59 “And Jesus said to him, “The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head”. Paul explains it clearly, “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.”2 Corinthians‬ ‭8:9‬

The road to Calvary begins in a stable in Bethlehem.
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Be Filled

Re:Verse reading–Luke 1:1-38 (day five)

“For he will be great in the sight of the Lord; and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit while yet in his mother’s womb.” Luke 1:15 “The angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you,”‭‭ Luke‬ ‭1:35‬

By reading Luke’s Gospel right after reading Acts (also written by Luke) we see the influence and insights he learned while traveling with Paul.

“Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them Acts 4:8

‭‭”Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus … has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Acts‬ ‭9:17‬

“And the disciples were continually filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭13:52‬

Luke connects the same constant catalyst for God’s activity in the world in his Gospel. The Holy Spirit.

This week, this day, this hour, we too, need God to fill us with His Holy Spirit. He is our source and hope for the promised presence and power of God to work in us and through us.

Encouragement

Re:Verse reading–Acts 23:11, 25:12, 28:16-31 (day five)

Acts 28:15 And the brothers there, when they heard about us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them, Paul thanked God and took courage.

I spent time yesterday thanking the Lord for FBCSA. A place where the fellowship among the members and presence of the Lord is such an encouragement and joy to so many (including me).

Sing or say these words with me today…

“There’s a sweet, sweet Spirit in this place,
And I know that it’s the Spirit of the Lord;
There are sweet expressions on each face,
And I know they feel the presence of the Lord.
Sweet Holy Spirit, Sweet heavenly Dove,
Stay right here with us, filling us with Your love.
And for these blessings we lift our hearts in praise;
Without a doubt we’ll know that we have been revived,
When we shall leave this place.”

Will look forward to gathering Sunday and finding the Lord and the encouragement His Spirit provides!

Potential

Re:Verse reading–Acts 20:17-38 (day five) 32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

Paul’s confidence in the work and effectiveness of the Word of God is remarkable. The power and ability found in studying and hearing the Scriptures taught and preached is life giving and life changing. Verse 32 contains immeasurable promised potential.

What if we read and meditated on God’s Word each day with that kind of perspective? What if we met weekly in small groups to hear God’s Word being taught so that we might discuss, understand, and process its timeless truths? What if we gathered to worship the Living God through prayer and song while hearing God’s Word preached with passion and clarity? What kind of potential does God’s Word give a church to fulfill the mission and purpose of building and growing God’s Kingdom?

The Sin in Athens

Re:Verse reading–Acts 17:10-12, 16-34 (day five) “Men of Athens, I observe that you are very religious in all respects. For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, ‘TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.’ Therefore what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you.”

The sin Paul confronts in Athens, is NOT atheism it is religion. The problem with religion is that is it man-made (vs 24). The danger of religion is that it distorts and detracts from God’s revelation of himself (vs. 23). It was natural and easy for those in Athens. It is just as common in our culture today. We turn to and trust things we build and can control. The lie is that a religious life will make more sense and we will be happier. The truth found in scripture is that God is the creator of the universe and everything in it. And real meaning and purpose is found only when we turn to and trust Him.

What Does Christian Joy Look Like?

Re:Verse reading–Acts 16:11-34 (day five)

In our Re:Verse passage this week, the work and ministry that establishes the church in Philippi begins. Years later the major theme in Paul’s letter to the believers in Philippi would be JOY. “ Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you.” “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!” Joy was something these Christians had seen firsthand when Paul and Silas were there. So, when Paul encourages them to have joy, they knew what it looked like. I suspect they remembered events from Acts 16.

Faithfully sharing the Gospel- 6:13-14 (“things spoken by Paul”)

Acting with courage- 6:18-19 (Paul confronted wrongdoing and evil)

Worship during suffering and persecution- 6:25 (“praying and singing hymns of praise”)

Service and Ministry to others 6:33-34 (“washed their wounds”, “set food before them”)

What would this kind of joy look like in our hearts and lives in 2017?

The Goal

Re:Verse reading–Acts 15:1-29 (day five) Acts 15:11 “But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they also are.” In verse 11, Peter changes the focus group in the work of salvation. The primary example in his closing statement was the Gentiles, NOT the Jews. The Jews would have said verse 11 in a different way, “Gentiles believe they are saved just like us”. In other words, Peter is proclaiming that the goal of salvation was NOT to be like the Jews. We often have the same mindset. We misunderstand the message and goal of the gospel. It is not that people become like us, but that they become like Christ. Any other goal falls far short of the promise and power of the Gospel. But, the possibility and opportunity to become more like Christ brings hope and joy to the human heart. That is GOOD NEWS!!

Well-Taught Church

Re:Verse reading–Acts 13:1-52 (day five) In the first words describing the church in Antioch, we come to discover the study of God’s Word was a priority. They had teachers (plural). In Acts 11, Barnabas and Saul are preaching AND teaching. Notice in Acts 13, that teaching was accompanied by other activities: prayer, worship, fasting, and listening. Learning was not the end, but rather a means to the end of understanding and doing the will of God.

Sending Paul and Barnabas required great faith and courage. They were probably the most recognized and seasoned leaders in the church. Yet, they clearly heard God’s direction and plan. They responded with joy and obedience. Sound familiar?

Were there concerns and questions? I think so. Did the teaching ministry of the church in Antioch strengthen their faith? I think so. Did learning and understanding the faithfulness of God help guide that church to trust and follow God’s direction (change in leadership, new missional thinking). I think so.

I wonder if FBCSA demonstrates the same kind of priority (well-taught church), will our faith and trust in the Lord help us to look to the future (change in leadership, new missional thinking) with hope, joy, and obedience. I think so.

Vision

Re:Verse reading–Acts 11:1-26 (day five)

“Then when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord; ²⁴for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith.”

When we think of vision, we often think of God’s plan and purpose FOR a group of people. Vision keeps us looking forward and upward with hope and courage. In this week’s Re:Verse passage we see a different facet of vision. Vision is also the ability and capacity to see potential and opportunities IN a group of people. Barnabas saw this new church and didn’t immediately try to press them forward with vision. Rather, he just encouraged them with the vision of how he saw the grace of God already working IN them. Where does this kind of vision come from? (Holy Spirit and Faith vs. 23) What could happen in a church if people “full of the Holy Spirit and of faith” begin to see God’s Grace at work IN each other and intentionally encouraged obedience and joy? “Where there is no vision, the people perish” Proverbs 29:18

Question Answered

Re:Verse reading–Acts 9:1-22, 26-31 (day five)

It is an interesting response from Saul when He encounters the Living Christ. Saul asks a sincere and monumental question. “Who are you, Lord?” The answer would define his worldview and theology for the rest of His life. Jesus is the Son of God, Jesus is the Christ. It is no coincidence that first words Paul preaches and proclaims is the answer to the last words (question) Saul utters before his conversion.

When we daily read and study the scriptures or listen to lessens and sermons, we should ask that same question, Who are You, Lord?” What insight, understanding, new facet of the Lord’s nature and character can we learn, appreciate, and understand? What can we learn and discover about God. It is a question always worth asking. The answer shapes our lives and heart for eternity!